Pedal Your Cycle Issue One

FREE July 2014 Number 1

The cyclists paper for the West Midlands & Wales

Pedal Your Cycle www.pedalyourcycle.co.uk

Welcome to the first issue

W

elcome to the first edition of Pedal Your Cycle.

In this edition, you’ll find all sorts of useful hints tips and information to help you get more out of

your cycling locally. Whether it’s help with family rides, a gentle day out with your friends, or something more energetic along the lanes and bridlepaths, we’re here to help. As keen cyclists, we want to make sure that everyone gets the most out of their cycling, whether that means making

friends, getting fresh air, or just having fun with the family.

Thanks for reading, and please let us know if you have any comments or feedback by visiting www.pedalyourcycle. co.uk, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Introducing

Baldwin Titanium

p11

Cycling Safely - Is the perception the reality?

• The accident rate for the UK is double that of the Netherlands who have a rate of 22 fatalities per billion miles.

• The health benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks thanks to the life years gained – by a factor of 20:1 according to one estimate!

O

ne of the most common reasons people offer for not cycling is the risk of being in an accident. While everyone seems to have an opinion on the risks of cycling, we thought we’d have a proper look at the facts rather

The Brompton folding bike: Review

p4

Cycling in the West Midlands

then relying on perceptions.

It’s a simple fact of psychology that the easier it is to recall a risk, the greater your assessment of that risk. If you can Continued on page 3 >

p6

2

Pedal Your Cycle

Tandem Cycling

The Cycling News At a glace

Page 10

www.pedalyourcycle.co.uk Email: info@pedalyourcycle.co.uk

facebook.com/pedalyourcycle

Adam Haworth

Creative Director

Jamie Booth

Equipment Editor / Marketing Director

Neil Coleman

Advertising / Sales Director

Charles Jarrold

Production Director / Product Testing Designed by & in association with Lakewood media Limited. www.lakewoodmedia.co.uk Pedal Your Cycle is part of Peloton Marketing Services. www.pelotonmarketingservices.co.uk

Registered in England & Wales 831 4554

I often take a spare pair if it’s raining. On a 100 mile plus ride it’s nice to have a change of gloves on a wet and cold day. I also carry a skull cap that can make you feel a bit warmer when the weather is dire.

Events

It’s annoying when you stamp on the pedals, flick the gear lever and then crack your teeth on the handle bars as you fall forward when the gears leap up three cogs.

How do you stop it?

Put the chain in the middle of the rear sprocket. Turn the barrel on the Events

Books

Gear

Adjusting Gears

Guinness and Pasta Anyone?

Cyclists for the Giro D’Italia started the 2014 event with 3 stages on the Emerald Isle, before moving back to Italy. Over a period of 21 days cycling, the race covers a total of 2,141 miles, an average of 102 miles per day, typically at around 29 miles per hour....when it’s flat! The event is one of the “big three”, the others being the Tour De France, and Spain’s Vuelta a España.

Mark Cavendish At Speed The latest book written by Mark Cavendish is as addictive to read as he is to watch. He is very honest and has no issue seeing himself for what he is. The feelings he has for his fellow countrymen and team mates is genuine. He is a true role model and the book is inspirational.

National Road Race This year the National Road Race will take place on 26th-29th June through the beautiful Usk Valley in Monmouthshire. For more information and details of the route visit www.nationalroadchamps.co.uk.

Personal Kit The best non-bike thing I bought was a Nomad Zip wallet. I keep my mini tool, spoke key, tyre levers, spare links, inner tube, gas bottle for air inflater, money and a puncture repair kit. It stops me wearing a hole in my jersey.

It’s great!

Letter from the Editor

Jeni Hughes Editor

Gloves

derailleur until it changes up. Once it does, slacken it off until it goes back on to the sprocket you started on. Go through the gears, it should index.

If not, go up a gear and repeat the process.

One other tip: Put the bike on the highest gear. Click all the way down to the lowest gear without turning the pedals. Pull the cable free and oil then go back up through the gears.

Quick Fix

Pedal Your Cycle is a free independent newspaper with the intention to spread cycling news and information throughout the Midlands & Wales.

Gear

Photo Competition Send your photos from your recent cycling adventures with us and win the chance to have your image featured in Pedal Your Cycle and a Klean Kanteen stainless steel flask.

Email your entries to:

photo@peloton.email Or share on our Facebook page:

facebook.com/pedalyourcycle Please only send images at least 2000x1800 (Pixels). Straight from camera is preferred.

Photos must be taken while cycling and ideally should include a bike but including a bike isn’t essential. Photos will be judged by the Pedal Your Cycle team. Photos may be used on social media

Jeni Hughes

Didn’t our boys do well?

Congratulations to Bradley Wiggins for winning the yellow jersey in California and it was great to see Mark Cavendish cross the finish line first despite having to stop to change a tyre. The Sky team are an inspiration back here at home and I can’t wait to see how well they do in their next race. I hope our story about how Neil took up riding again after many years absence inspires some of you to dust off that saddle and get out again too. Now, where’s my bike pump?

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july 2014 Issue 1

Cycling Safely - Is the perception the reality?

By Charles Jarrold

< Continued from page 1 easily imagine something, you’ll think that’s more likely than something that’s more difficult to visualise - even when this is far from true. So, is cycling really that dangerous, or is it just “an easy to recall” risk which in reality isn’t that significant? We’ve done some research, and here’s what we’ve found.

In 2012, there were 118 cycling fatalities, and it’s estimated that cyclists covered 3.1 billion miles. This sounds (and is) terrible, but look at it this way: that’s 1 fatality for every 28 million miles cycled. Perhaps not a huge risk. What is terrible is that the accident rate for the UK is DOUBLE that of the Netherlands who have a rate of 22 fatalities per billion miles. Why? As usual, money spent, particularly segregating motorists and cyclists.

Two other groups have a higher risk of fatal injury - motorcyclists (perhaps unsurprisingly), and, more surprisingly, pedestrians.

The risks of being killed or seriously injured are more concerning however, with a rate of 646 per billion miles cycled (2nd worst, motorcycling 1119 per billion vehicle miles). So, statistically

speaking, one person is killed or seriously injured for every 1.54 million miles covered on a bike - every serious injury is a tragedy, but nevertheless statistically, the chances of it being you are quite low.

We’re not sure whether this is comforting or alarming - it probably depends on your personal circumstances, but to help you understand the bald statistics, we thought we’d add a bit of

In terms of managing the risks, if you’re a cyclist (or motorist!), we’ve had a look at the main risk areas, and there are few surprises:

colour: A Dutch study found that regular cycling extended lifespans by up to 14 months, and that the risks equated to reducing lifespans by 40 days or less - in health terms, perhaps what one might call “a healthy profit!”. While cycling in the Netherlands is safer than here, UK charity Sustrans reports a 20:1 benefit - on average, 20 life-years are gained for each lifeyear lost through injury. (Both sourced and referenced Wikipedia)

• More cycle accidents occur in Spring and Summer, but the risk is actually higher in Autumn and Winter (fewer cyclists in the dark and cold, but more risk of not being seen).

• Around 75% of fatal or serious cyclist accidents occur in urban areas, but then this is where most cyclists are.

• Around half of cyclist fatalities occur on rural roads - something we’re a little surprised at.

• 75% happen at, or near, a road junction - something we’re not so surprised at!

Accidents seem to occur where either a cyclist emerges from a junction into the path of a vehicle, or a vehicle fails to see the cyclist - roundabouts are particularly unfriendly to cyclists.

Children on the other hand seem to be most at risk through inattention while playing, or going too quickly.

So, where does all that leave us? Every serious accident is a major tragedy, all the more so because it’s usually easy to see how it could have been avoided.

However, the encouraging news is

that the health benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks. It’s also possible to identify the main risks and at least try to do things to reduce them - train the kids, be visible (don’t worry about being “cool”, worry about being seen!).

Pay particular attention around busy junctions and roundabouts.

If in doubt pull in, dismount and cross like a pedestrian. Above all, get out have fun, and look for fun, low traffic routes where you can really enjoy yourself.

Order Your Wide & Slow kit Visit: pedalyourcycle.co.uk/wideandslow

Name:

Please fill in your details using black block capitals. Sizes Small to Extra Large are available.

Address:

£75.00 for the jersey £62.00 for the shorts £142.00 for the rain jacket

Cheque payable to: Peloton Marketing Services.

Postcode: Phone #: Size:

Send this form with cheque to: Highland Place Fownhope Herefordshire HR1 4PQ

4

The Brompton

By Jamie Booth

S

ince my last major reconnection with cycling about 5 years ago I have thought about getting myself a Brompton, A spell of living near London more or less convinced me it was the way ahead. I then moved to rural Herefordshire, where I thought there would be no use for a folding bike. My second reason for not getting one was because of the pending arrival of a Transporter that will mean all bikes and kit can remain in the back of the van.

However, a recent spell visiting a sick relative in Gloucester Hospital highlighted the possible benefits of having my own two wheeled transport. To be able to nip off for 20 minutes, down to the docks or over to the cathedral would have been a godsend.

My cycling background is varied and typical of someone of my age. I started, once on proper bikes, with a Raleigh road bike.

I had two of these one after the other. I then went to a Falcon Shane Sutton Special. I swapped for a mountain bike and did okay, riding up to a reasonable level. Then as I got older and the chance of a glittering career in road cycling vanished I started riding for fun. In truth my bike of choice is either the Orange Five or the Pinarello Rokh.

So after much nail biting I shelled out the best part of £1000 on a Brompton. The model in question has an extending seat post and a full set of 6 gears. It does what it says on the tin, I can ride it with the kids or to work and it packs up and stays in the

“

It makes people smile. It makes me smile. It makes me ride slower, look at the views.

”

car. Even a 1 mile walk can be done in minutes on a bike. I am such a convert and it looks fun; I am 6ft 3 and when I ride it the bike looks like a clown bike. It makes people smile. It makes me smile. It makes me ride slower and I can look at the views.

The bike itself is a great machine made in England with a host of own branded components. They are nice too, with the three cycle logo on them.

Find out more about Brompton folding bikes at: www.brompton.com

July 2014 Issue 1

Learning to ride again

By Neil Coleman

“Just keep pedalling” are the first words my Dad shouted to me as he released his grip from my saddle and it wasn’t long before I could ride! As a teenager I cycled everywhere: paper rounds, a 60mile charity cycle ride, I even managed to sit on the handlebars and ride backwards down the road. It was great!

Unfortunately though, for various reasons, I stopped cycling so when a good friend of mine invited me out for a ride, I thought, “Why not, it can’t be difficult?” If you’ve experienced Verderers Trail in the Forest of Dean you’ll know that it’s great fun, it’s pretty safe and provides breathtaking scenery. I set off on the gradual climb – a few off’s as a result of legs not rotating at the speed that they needed to, hence the coming together with a few rocks resulting in what’s referred to as “road rash” I think, we eventually reached the top and started the fun bit – descending.

Adrenaline took over as we headed down through the trees, legs spinning with fury as I tried to keep up with my coach. As we exited the forest, I looked up to see him disappear round a 180° bend and it became apparent that my “crash course in mountain biking” was about to become just that. Not only did I not make the corner, I managed to hit the very last tree, experiencing what can only be described as “tree rash” before the bike plummeted on top of me. Sensing that something was amiss, the coach returned and as only he could, proceeded with the words “I thought you might struggle with that one.”

The rest of the trip down the trail was a little more sedate.

Adrenaline is a strange thing though as the experience was fantastic and if I’d been a little more cautious the journey down could have been event free although probably nowhere near as exciting. So, I decided

to jump back on a bike again and take to the road, which has been great fun albeit not without its ups and downs; like the time when I reached a T junction where, having unclipped as I arrived, I subconsciously clipped myself back in again only to have to stop as a car was passing through the junction. I can still see the surprised look on the passengers faces as they watched the stationary cyclist keel over having not managed to free a foot from the pedals, how I wished that I’d remembered my Dad’s words then, if only I’d just kept moving.

As far as highs go, there have been a few, breaking the 50mph barrier, a KOM on Strava, organising a successful charity cycle ride, collecting and donating over 250 bikes to good causes and just getting out there amongst our stunning countryside. Not for one moment have I regretted jumping back on the saddle again, even when riding through a hailstorm or into the teeth of a biting wind.

It isn’t much fun at the time but it’s rewarding all the same.

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Cycling in the West Midlands Good bike shops and cyclist friendly stops

Shrewsb Welshpool Rhayader

Penbont House Tea Rooms Elan Valley Rhayder LD6 5HS

07813 095075

Hereford

Rhayader

Mastercraft Cycles 39 Bridge Street Hereford. HR4 9DG Tel: 01432 274047

www.mastercraftcycles.co.uk

Lucksall Caravan & Camping Park

Pembridge

Hereford

01432 870213

www.lucksallpark.co.uk

Brecon

bRecon

The Old School Tea Room

Abergavenny

High St Defynnog LD3 8SL 01874 638360

www.theoldschooltearoom.co.uk

abergavenny

The Angel Hotel 15 Cross Street Abergavenny NP7 5EN UK

www.angelabergavenny.com

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July 2014 Issue 1

Shrewsberry

The Prince Rupert Hotel

berry

Chalet Pavilion Tea Room

Butcher Row Shrewsbury SY1 1UQ

Shropshire

www.camelliastearooms.co.uk

Carding Mill Valley Church Stretton Shropshire SY6 6JG 01694 723068

Kidderminster Ludlow

ludlow

Ludlow Castle Castle Square Ludlow Shropshire, SY8 1AY 01584 878796 sdavies@ludlowcastle.com www.ludlowcastle.com

Bodenham

Leominster

Brockington Hall

Worcester

Bodenham Hereford Herefordshire HR1 3HX

www.classiccountryhouses.com

Hereford

Ledbury

Trumpet Corner

Gloucester

Trumpet Crossroads Herefordshire HR8 2RA 01531 670 082

www.trumpetcorner.co.uk

Symonds Yat

Rose Cottage Monmouthshire

Gentle Jane Tea Room Gentle Jane Grosmont NP7 8EP 01981 241655

Symonds Yat East Herefordshire HR9 6JL 01600 890 514

www.rose-cottage-symondsyat.co.uk

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Cycling with the family

Lugg Valley Cycling Club

By Jamie Booth

By Jamie Booth

I

n every issue of Pedal Your Cycle we are going to try to include an area or a route that is family friendly from a cycling point of view. I can’t promise that it will be trafficfree but we will have a good go at making it as safe as possible.

In this issue we are recommending Haugh Woods. This is a forestry commission site north of Mordiford.

There is good parking and I would suggest taking a little portable BBQ to make a day of it. The local Mountain Bikers have made a web of single track, and the hilly nature of the area makes for

an interesting and fun place to spend the afternoon.

There are miles of fire roads that criss cross and even a butterfly trail that can be followed by bike.

If you require refreshments you will find a pub at the bottom of both hills, in Mordiford and Woolhope, neither of which mind you turning up covered in mud. The caravan site at Lucksall also has an okay café where they serve good coffee and cyclists are welcome.

Drop us an email and we can send you back a map of routes by return.

Because of what appears to be a lack of opportunity for youth development in cycling in Herefordshire we have decided to set up a club that caters for all ages and abilities.

We would encourage parents to bring their kids along and go through the level one coaching qualification and actively be involved.

We want to cover all aspects of cycling and intend to provide lots of opportunities for young people to try new things including cycle polo.

I am quite keen that we put together a time trial team to compete locally and nationally.

The plan is to meet up at Bodenham Lake car park on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 5pm and every other Sunday at 9am.

Please visit the website at www.luggvalleycyclingclub.com for more details .

1000 Trees

By Sasha Norris

1000 trees is a tree planting project for everyone. Inspired by local people who campaigned to save 14 lime trees in Hereford City centre in 2013, by knitting and lobbying and peaceful protest, 1000 trees aims to make tree planting easy and accessible to all.

2000 years ago, Britain was forested across almost her entire surface. We have removed the trees to use the wood for many diverse uses but at great cost to our wildlife.

This project is part of a movement to bring them back. In the process, we create homes for wildlife as diverse as tawny owls and slow worms. Almost every

species of wildlife in our country benefits from the presence of trees.

1000 trees is INCLUSIVE whatever your organisation we will work with you to plant trees.

Whether you are a landowner, a developer, factory owner, an individual with a small garden, or community garden, our aim is to help you to plant more trees.

All of the trees we give away are natural to the British landscape, locally grown trees.

This project is brand new.

Our aim is to make native trees available for free for planting all over Britain. We need partners to help us.

We need individuals willing to encourage tree planting in their community, • We need expert individuals who can advise schools and other institutions as well as member of the public about trees • We need partner retail nurseries and garden centres to hold and give away the trees, • We need NGOs and charities to create projects, • Journalists and media organisations to promote • And of course, sponsors to pay for trees.

For more information please visit our website: www.1000trees.org or email: sasha@1000trees.org

july 2014 Issue 1

9

saddle set-up:

By Jamie Booth

W

You want your leg nearly straight, but not locked (this will give you knee problems). Have a look at the picture below to see.

e look at the best way to set your saddle height.

Near a wall, sit on the bike and put your heel on If this feels a bit high, please stick with it for a day or two. Ideally the pedal take your bike out for a quick spin away from traffic and see how Adjust the height of the you feel, as it’s likely that, if it feels “wrong”, it’s the change more saddle so that your than anything that feels unusual. leg is straight with the heel on the pedal.

It’s worth it in the long (and short run!) - correctly set, With the ball of your cycling is more efficient and better for your joints. foot on the pedal (see Often, what feels wrong is just the change, so give right) your leg will 1. Sitting on the bike, put your it a day or two before deciding. be slightly bent at heel on the pedal. the bottom of its rotation.

Getting your 2. You’re looking to have your leg straight with saddle set up the pedal at the bottom of the cycle. Adjust your to the right saddle height. height is one of those things 3.

Now, with your foot on the pedal (note the ball that isn’t difficult, but of your foot is on the pedal, not the arch!), your knee is something should be slightly bent. that we see being done 4. That’s it! incorrectly far too frequently!

A saddle that’s 5. This is the easiest way. But to summarise, set too high or low however you decide to pedal: isn’t just making cycling much harder, it’s also likely to give you problems with knees and backs. So, here’s how you set it (see pictures).

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Tandem Cycling

By Neil Coleman

M

ikael Pedersen was the creator of some unusual bicycles that are still sold today. For those who haven’t come across the Pedersen solo ‘style’, I’m sure that you’ll be aware of another of his iconic and futuristic creations that still prospers today – the tandem.

In the late 1890’s he created the famed bicycle made for two and last Saturday, I experienced my first ever ride on one.

Being a keen cyclist I’d agreed with a friend to act as ‘stoker’. He was organising a tandem ride for his club, San Fairy Ann, a large club based in Kent, and I was provided updates of the route etc before receiving an invitation when after weeks of subtle “come along if you’d like to” was replaced by a more desperate cry for help as after all, it would be poor form for the organiser to turn up and ride solo on a tandem.

So, after two wobbly laps of a car park, 4 tandems set off through country lanes around the Weald of Kent. The pilot had issued instructions by way of ‘turning, brake, gears up, gears down,’ but forgot to tell me that my handlebars were there purely to hang onto and that steering was at least, on

my part, performed by leaningand nothing else. This was drilled home when we sailed straight on at the first junction whereas the other 3 groups navigated their 90° right turn and headed off. A shaky 180° followed by a wobbly 90° left and we were pedalling like crazy, pride shattered and trying to catch up before taking the lead again with a stoker thinking that he’d rather

Recycles

be anywhere else than on the back of a skinny tyred tandem.

Still, it’s got to get easier, I kept thinking and we’re stopping in 15 miles at a tea shop.

So, 15 miles later, we rolled into Marden, confidence almost there & stopped for a well-deserved coffee and it was then that I was hit by a bombshell. The other 3 tandems were ridden by, a couple in their late 60s, a man and an 11-year-old and

another man with a lady who is registered blind.

Do you remember a PG Tips ad where one of the chimps asked “can you ride tandem?” Well, the answer is that everyone can enjoy this challenging but fun sport. Try it, you might just enjoy it & better still, if you jump on the front, you might also be giving someone else an opportunity to have a crack at cycling too.

By Neil Coleman

At Recycles Swindon, that old bicycle could represent a new milestone in the lives of many other people.

Recycles is a social enterprise - this means that it is set up to help those who are having a hard time, giving them an opportunity develop a more secure future.

It is backed by the Salvation Army and provides opportunities on many levels.

Recycles takes unwanted bicycles and creates learning opportunities for people who have previously been homeless to refurbish those bicycles, which are then sold by the shop that they run on their site. At their workshop they learn how to

repair the cycles, receiving both structured vocational training and credits that can be exchanged for food or other benefits. This process can lead to full time work.

So what happens to the bicycles? Well, they are repaired and then sold to the public at discounted prices, again providing opportunities for budding cyclists to embark on a healthy activity but with a low entry cost.

Since the project opened 18 months ago 800 bicycles have been repaired and found new owners thanks to this project.

Every single bike donated provides numerous opportunities from training and

work experience through to funding and accommodation. Recycles helps stimulate self-confidence.

Recycles will collect unwanted bikes, they can be dropped at one of the hubs in Herefordshire, Dorset, Kent or you can deliver them to the project in Swindon.

The shop itself is also a great meeting place with good coffee and a warm welcome. On a more serious note the quality of the bike repairs and servicing is to a very high standard.

Some of the team who work in the shop are now starting to ride in their own right so look out for them on the road.

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July 2014 Issue 1

Baldwin Titanium Beautifully crafted, custom frame handbuilt in the UK providing a great balance of looks and performance

I

’m Rich Baldwin and I have been a road cyclist for 15 years.

In the early days, I chopped and changed bikes trying to find a ride that fitted me well and was also unique. Baldwin Titanium Bicycles grew from my passion to develop a brand of high end, hand made in the UK and custom fitted bicycle frames that were unique and exclusive. I started off using aluminium and “upgraded” to carbon when budget allowed. Then I tried a titanium frame and the epiphany occurred.

Everything about titanium felt right; it’s light, tough and completely impervious to the elements.

Our cycles are available direct from Baldwin Titanium and start with an initial consultation as to what is required. From there we gather data to ensure a good fit for your bike. This is done in a variety of ways. Our preferred method is to get fitting measurements from a professional bike fit. We use York Cycle Works, however if you would rather use your local fitting service, we welcome third party data.

Next comes frame design incorporating a selection of tubes to get the ride quality that is a signature of our bikes. Our design will also show the components we have selected so you get a feel for the finished look.

Our tubing is made from Grade 9 titanium from a reputable American supplier. Titanium is an element rather than a metal and once alloyed with aluminium and vanadium, its strength is increased. Our head tubes, bottom bracket shells, brake bridges, bosses and cable stops are also from the USA. Some of these are made of Grade 5 titanium which is even tougher than grade 9!

A really good frame starts with mitring the tubes. Good mitres allow our welder to complete a double pass technique which gives great strength and aesthetically pleasing welds. All our bikes are TIG welded to avoid oxygen being absorbed into the weld and making it brittle.

By Richard Baldwin

Our frames are then finished in one of four ways: blasted; brushed; painted or polished. Then the bike is built up and client led components are fitted.

If you have any questions or simply want to follow our progress, please get in touch or follow us on social media.

www.baldwintitanium.co.uk facebook.com/Baldwin.titanium Twitter: @Baldwintitanium Tel: 07904 236007

Savernake Sizzler Cycling Challenge

By Penny

T

he Savernake Sizzler Cycling Challenge is a fun but tough cycling event being held near Marlborough on Sunday July 27th.

Organised by the new, family run project ‘GiveItSome’ and sponsoring Sparks Charity – for children’s health.

Debuted only last year, 2014’s event welcomes all abilities, with participants free to choose to ride 93, 56 or 32 miles through some of Wiltshire’s most stunning landscapes, with the routes promising a fantastic mix of

1000 Riders

By Jamie Booth

1000 Riders was set up on the back of my partners successful campaign, 1000 Trees, following the removal of native lime trees in Hereford (see page 8)

challenging hilly, winding lanes and straight, fast sections. Entries from as little as £10 each, with all the facilities you’d expect from a larger sportive alongside the friendly atmosphere of a smaller local event.

GiveItSome are encouraging cyclists not just to ride but to take up the opportunity to raise funds for their sponsored charity Sparks as well, who raise money to fund pioneering medical research projects that specifically help babies, children and pregnant women. A free t-shirt each and a chance to win cycling merchandise is available to all those riding in aid of the charity. Any donations towards

the free sports massages on offer, as well as proceeds from the home-baked goodies stall and tea and coffee donations will be going to Sparks as well. A perfect end to a hard cycle.

Organiser and local cycling and running enthusiast Paul Greenman states “Savernake Sizzler is a great opportunity to fundraise for a worthy cause as well as brilliant motivation for cyclists to get out in the fresh air and enjoy our beautiful countryside. There will hopefully be some personal achievements gained along the way, with routes to suit all abilities, and of course a chance to meet other like-minded riders from the local area”.

I thought maybe we could try and help a 1000 people to improve their mental and physical health through a professional cycling program.

We aim to get people to exercise, eat properly and sleep well in a structured manner. We think by giving people an event, a race or charity ride to focus on and aim for, we can really make a difference to people’s

lives and I hope make a change for good.

1000 riders is our initial aim and I hope we can, over the coming years, help many more and if possible set up a mentoring process where the people we help then help other people.

Please visit www.1000riders.org.uk for a diet plan and to sign up for a training ride.

Bike by train

By Jamie Booth

C

ycling by train is to be encouraged as a way of getting about. I like riding to a place that’s a few miles away and getting the train back. I even quite like the slight hit and miss nature of the return journey.

On a trip last year I cycled from my home in Fownhope near Hereford to Swindon via Birdlip Hill and the old back road to Cirencester. On arriving in Swindon 70 miles later I realised that the trip back to Swindon was less than straightforward, not least the realisation that there is no direct train, well one a week.

The only option is the train to Newport and then Newport to Hereford. On this particular trip I got off at Abergavenny and rode on to Hereford. The thing is you can get a copy of the paper and a coffee and sit feeling a little smug that you have ridden to the place where you get on the train.. I have done it the other way round, the issue

with this is the reward before the pain.

The best ride I did by train was from home in Herefordshire up to Shrewsbury via the historic castles in Herefordshire and Shropshire.

The ride was very much up and down and I think would lend itself to a multiday ride. I decided to do it in one hit so I started out early and it rained! The shock was how hilly Shropshire was and how brutal the descents are.

The ride criss-crosses Shropshire over the hills back and forth before ending in Shrewsbury. After a little extension the 80 miles was a bit of trek and I felt it.

When I got to Hereford I then had an additional 7 miles home. This was hard and needs to be considered but when you get to the station after the ride its like coming back from some intercontinental expedition.

Give it a go. Ride from home and get the train back. Try 10 miles to start with and build it up - it’s fun!